PLAYER AND PARENT GUIDE - PGA.org

2016 PLAYER AND PARENT GUIDE

Supported through PGA REACH, impacting lives through golf.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSABOUT 3

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY 3

ETIQUETTE 4

SAFETY FIRST

COURTESY ON COURSE

PACE OF PLAY

LEAGUE FORMAT 5

RULES OF PLAY 5

MATCH FORMAT

SUBSTITUTES

MATCH SCORING

SAMPLE SCORECARD

MATCH RULES

ON THE COURSE

THE POST-SEASON 8

PARENT / VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT 9

16u DIVISION 9

CODE OF CONDUCT 10

RISE 11

GLOSSARY 12

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ABOUTPGA Junior League Golf is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls, ages 13 and under, to enjoy golf. Like other recreational youth sports, participants wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with friends. Players compete under the direction of PGA and LPGA Professional Captains in a popular two-person scramble format which reinforces the team concept and creates a nurturing environment for learning the game.

The program is all about being with friends on a team, bringing families and communities together, instilling important life skills and values, and having boys and girls of all abilities playing golf and having fun together.

With more than 2,500 teams and 30,000 kids participating in 2015, and Official Ambassadors the likes of superstars Rory McIlroy, Michelle Wie, Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson, PGA Junior League Golf has wide-ranging appeal for both youth and their parents.

SEASON TIMELINE

The specific timeline for your PGA Junior League Golf Team will vary by facility and geography. Generally, a typical season of PGA Junior League Golf will consist of four to eight regular season games and may include practices. These games and practices are held within the spring and summer months. For details specific to your Team or League’s schedule, please consult with your PGA or LPGA Professional Team Captain.

Player Registration Window: February through April

Regular Season Window: April 1 trough July 31

Post-Season: August through November

PLAYER ELIGIBILITYPGA Junior League Golf is designed for boys and girls, of all abilities, who are 13 years old or younger. Participants are eligible for PGA Junior League Golf if they will not reach their 14th birthday prior to August 1st of the current year.

While a minimum age of 9 is suggested, younger players may participate if the Captain and the Player’s Parents agree.

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ETIQUETTESAFETY FIRST

• Before you swing the club, always check that your surroundings are clear

• Never stand near or in front of someone who is hitting their ball

• Pause and make sure no one is ahead of you where your shot may hit them

• Yell “FORE!” if your ball comes close to landing near someone on the course

COURTESY ON COURSE

• Be quiet and stand still while others are hitting

• Leave the course better than you found it

• Walk softly on the green without dragging your feet

• Always rake sand before leaving a bunker

• Repair your divots and ball marks along with others that may have been forgotten

• Never place your golf bag on the putting green

• You may not hit a practice shot during play of a hole, or from any hazard

PACE OF PLAY

Walking nine holes and carrying a bag can be tiresome. Use the below tips to assist pace-of-play:

• Minimal time should be spent searching for lost balls

• Encourage conceding short putts instead of continuing play

• Minimal time should be spent deciding which shot to select

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LEAGUE FORMATA PGA Junior League Golf team typically consists of 8-14 players. Leagues are comprised of 4 to 7 teams. Golf facilities will either host their own league or join with other nearby facilities to make a league.

PGA Junior League Golf features “Games” that include two teams playing head to head in a competition. Each team is split into four groups of players competing across four separate “matches.” Each match includes two players plus substitutes from one team playing against two players plus substitutes from the other team. Each match is nine holes broken into 3-hole segments called “flags.” Flag 1 is holes 1-3, Flag 2 is holes 4-6, Flag 3 is holes 7-9. With four matches per game and three flags per match, each game is a competition for 12 total flags. The format of each match is “match play” “scramble.”

RULES OF PLAYMATCH FORMAT

All four matches will be played as 2-player vs 2-player match play, utilizing a scramble format. Once assigned to a match, a player must remain with that match for the entire game. The only exception to this rule would be in the case of an injury in another match that has no alternate assigned. All players in attendance must play a minimum of one flag (3 holes).

Players are allowed to “substitute” into each match at the start of a new flag. The Captain or Coach will determine the players and substitutes for each flag.

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SUBSTITUTES

PGA Junior League Golf allows for the substitution of players within each of a game’s four matches, at the start of a new flag. Substitutes are a very important and critical part to the team’s success. Substitutes are encouraged to walk with the players and provide valuable assistance to play such as:

• Reading putts

• Discussing strategy

• Tending the flag stick

• Caring for the course

• Assisting pace of play

• Retrieving balls not being used

• Providing support and encouragement to teammates

MATCH SCORING

As in traditional match play, each hole is won by the team with the lowest score. If a team wins more holes within each flag than the opposing team, then that team wins the corresponding flag and one point. If a flag ends in a tie, then each team will be awarded a half-point. Each game has a total of 12 points and the team with the most points at the end is determined the game winner. Points earned for each game are accumulated throughout the season and will determine the League Champion and subsequent All-Star selections for post season play.

SAMPLE SCORECARD

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FLAG #1

Hole 1: Kevin and Brett make a 3. Tony and Caroline make a 3. They tie the hole.

Hole 2: Kevin and Brett make a 4. Tony and Caroline make a 4. They tie the hole.

Hole 3: Kevin and Brett make a 4. Tony and Caroline make a 5. Kevin and Brett win the third hole, thus Kevin and Brett win Flag #1 and secure 1 point.

MATCH RULES

PREFERRED LIES

Players shall have the right to lift, clean and place their ball before each shot. There is never a penalty for inadvertently moving a ball in PGA Junior League Golf, with the exception of Rule 1-2.

A. Through the green, players shall mark the ball and then place the ball within one club-length of the mark in the same direction, no closer to the hole, to play their next shots.

B. On the putting green, players shall mark the ball and then place the ball within one putter-head length of the mark in the same direction, no closer to the hole.

C. A ball may be moved from the rough to the fairway if it is within the one-club distance. However, a ball may never be moved out of a sand bunker or on to the green.

D. Players should not putt out before their partner putts. The first ball holed out determines the team’s score. The first player to putt should always mark their ball if they do make the putt.

HAZARDS AND PENALTIES

A. No play is allowed from a water hazard or lateral water hazard. Relief and penalty must be taken, if that ball is to be played.

B. Out of bounds is played as a lateral water hazard during PGA Junior League Golf regular season games.

C. Only players may call rules infractions. All rules infractions must be made/declared on the course and ruled upon prior to the start of the next hole.

D. Upon reaching the green no player shall roll or putt his/her ball to the marked location. Any intentional improper movement of a ball on the green to gain advantage will result in a penalty of one stroke.

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STROKE MAXIMUM

Triple Bogey is the stroke maximum on a hole. No hole in PGA Junior League Golf can be won with a triple bogey. Any team failing to finish the hole after reaching 2-strokes over par should pick-up. If both teams are forced to pick-up, then the hole is halved.

ON THE COURSE

• Coaching - Coaches may only help players with match strategy after a hole is completed and before the tee shots on the following hole.

• Distance Measuring Device - Players may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. These devices may be shared by players.

• Clubs - A player can carry no more than 14 clubs in their bag however, players on the same team, playing in the same match are allowed to share clubs.

• Pull Carts - Players walk during the matches and have the option to carry their bags or use a pull cart. Substitutes may put their clubs on a cart when not playing.

• Shuttling - The use of a golf cart is not permitted for juniors during play. In cases of long distances between greens and tees, it is permissible for Captains and/or Coaches to shuttle players to the next tee.

THE POST-SEASONWhile PGA Junior League Golf is designed to be more recreational than competitive, there is no denying that the thrill of competition fuels some of the fun. The competition also helps keep “role model” players involved in the program to provide peer mentoring to younger, developing players.

The post-season is comprised of All-Star teams formed from all teams in your league. Depending on the number of leagues in your geographic area, your all-star team may need to compete in Local Qualifiers, Sectional Championships and Regional Championships in order to advance to the PGA Junior League Golf Championship in late fall.

Please note that players who accept an invitation to participate on the All-Star team will incur additional travel and expenses.

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• Each All-Star team will be comprised of 10 active players, selected from the teams within your league (All-Star selections are at the discretion of the Team Captain). The number of All-Star selections per team is based on the Team’s performance during the regular season.

• Players must be regular and active participants during the regular season.

• All regular season play must conclude and All-Star teams must be selected by August 1st.

PARENT & VOLUNTEERINVOLVEMENTParents are encouraged to help out and serve as either coaches or Team Parents (at the discretion and need of the Team Captain). They can assist with hosting weekly practices, traveling to league games, keeping score, and providing refreshments. Parents, family members and friends are also encouraged to attend games, cheer, and be supportive. For more information on volunteer opportunities please speak with your PGA Junior League Golf Captain.

PGA Junior League Golf is piloting a “16 & under” division. If there is a 16u Captain in your area there will be a 16u notification that will appear on the facility’s search results indicating participation in the league.

Player Registration: January through April

Regular Season: April - July

Post Season: Determined on a Section or State basis

*Please note there is no Championship as this is a pilot season

16u DIVSION

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16u PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

16u is designed for any boy or girl who is 16 or younger. Participants are eligible if they will not reach their 17th birthday prior to August 1 of the current year.

16u division players who are 13 or younger are permitted to play on one 16u team and one PGA Junior League Golf (13u) team.

16u FORMAT OF COMPETITION

• Team size consists of 6-9 players.

• Leagues are built to reflect PGA Junior League Golf Leagues. This allows for consistent scheduling with 16u games being played immediately before or after PGA Junior League Golf games.

• Similar to PGA Junior League, 16u will follow the same format, scoring, and rules with the exception of, each game includes three matches instead of four.

CODE OF CONDUCTAll spectators and Players must abide by the following conduct expectations:

SPECTATOR CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS

• Spectators acknowledge that the goal of PGA Junior League Golf is for players to have fun with friends.

• Spectators agree to refrain from participating in players’ strategic decisions.

• Spectators agree to defer the enforcement of rules to players and team leaders.

• Spectators agree to abstain from coaching or giving advice to the players.

• Spectators agree to abstain from caddying.

• Spectators are encouraged to cheer, have fun and be supportive of the players.

• Spectators agree to demonstrate sportsmanship, respect and a positive attitude.

• Spectators must stay near the cart path and never step on the green.

• Spectators agree to abide by any rules and regulations of the host facility (dress code, cell phone policy, spectator policy, etc.)

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PLAYER CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS

• Players acknowledge that the purpose of PGA Junior League Golf is to have fun with friends.

• Players agree to demonstrate sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive attitude.

• Players agree to be respectful of fellow players, spectators, coaches, and facility staff.

• Players agree to care for the golf facility and leave it in better condition than they found it.

RISEPGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA of America, is a proud supporter of RISE, the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality. We encourage all players, parents, and spectators to join us in taking the following RISE pledge.

“I pledge to treat everyone with respect and dignity. I will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. I will speak up whenever I know

discrimination is happening and I will stand up for victims.”

Learn more at RisetoWin.org.

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GLOSSARYConcede – to acknowledge an opponent’s victory before it is officially established. A team may concede their opponents next stroke at any time, provided the opponents ball is at rest. Players concede a putt or shot by saying “That’s good” clearly and loud enough for the opposing team to hear and acknowledge. A team may concede a match or hole at any time prior to the start or conclusion of that match or hole.

Lateral Water Hazard – is a water hazard or that part of a hazard so situated that is not possible or impracticable to drop a ball behind the water hazard. Lateral hazards are identified by red stakes or lines.

Match Play - In match play, each hole is a separate contest. If you win the first hole, you are “one up”; if you lose it, your opponent is “one up; if you tie it, you are “all square.” You have won the corresponding flag and one point when you are two up with one hole left to play, however you still must complete the final hole within the Flag.

Out of Bounds – Ground on which play is prohibited. Out of bounds is typically defined by white stakes or a fence.

Putting Green – all ground of the hole being played that specially prepared for putting.

Rule 1-2 – A player must not take an action with the intent to influence the movement of a ball in play or alter physical conditions with the intent of affecting the playing of the hole.

Scramble – In a scramble, each player tees off on each hole. The best of the tee shots is selected and both players play their second shots from that spot. The better of the second shots is determined, and then both play their third shots from that spot, and so on until the ball is holed.

Through the Green – the whole area of the course except the teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played and all hazards on the course.

Triple Bogey – A golf score of three strokes over par on a hole.

Water Hazard – is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface draining ditch or anything of similar nature. All water hazards are defined by yellow stakes or lines.